Training grant helps SA ice cream export
The Industry Skills Fund assists Australian businesses to invest in training and support services, and
to develop innovative training solutions. The fund will help build a highly skilled workforce that
can take advantage of new business growth opportunities and adapt to rapid technological
change.
Businesses interested in seeking assistance through the fund can call 13 28 64 or go to
business.gov.au and complete a simple online enquiry form to determine eligibility.
The Australian Government’s Industry Skills Fund
is helping South Australian ice cream icon, Golden
North to expand into the east coast markets and
overseas into the Chinese and South East Asia
markets.
training programme to give them the skills needed
to identify challenges and implement strategies to
enable more competitive and sustainable business
practices.
Based in the farmland community of Laura, Golden
North has been producing ice cream for South
Australians for 92 years and is one of the regions
largest employers. The nature of the ice cream
business is seasonal which is an issue during
winter, however their growth plan is to increase
production along with the work available for its
casual staff.
After spending several months developing new
flavours Golden North are planning to send more
products for sale interstate and overseas. They
recently sent a 40 foot container of ice cream to
China and hope to commence regular exports
soon following the signing of an agreement with a
distributor. Exporting into Asian markets will enable
year-round production and year-round
employment.
We sent our Operations Manager on the Shinka
Lean Japan tour where he visited the Toyota
training facility and factories within the Toyota
supply chain where he experienced hands-on lean
training. What stood out for him was the need for
our business to adopt the lean methodology
principles, and strive for manufacturing excellence.
The company’s employee skill base wasn’t at the
level needed to adequately implement these
methodologies, however they had already
identified a training provider to deliver this
programme for their staff.
After hearing about the Industry Skills Fund,
Golden North applied for a training grant for their
staff to participate in a manufacturing excellence
The 12 month course started in March 2015 with
the 30 staff going through the course receiving a
Certificate III in Competitive Systems and Practices
at the end of the programme.
“Having our staff skilled in this area means we can
improve efficiency, reduce production costs, focus
on developing new products, expand into new
overseas markets and promote our quality and
clean credentials. This will create long term
employment opportunities year-round in the
region,” he said.
“The [fund’s] Customer Service Manager was very
helpful and once the form was signed off and
completed, the approval process was very quick,”
Mr Adamo said.
“The $40,000 grant has allowed us the opportunity
to invest in our staff. Investing in our people is a
key component of this company’s strategic plan.”